VWL/Eastern Fantasy Cruise/AKV CL all wrapped into a fabulous b-day trip - Complete

[Pinkocto]

They really knocked out those villas! I thought construction time for that would take years, and now it's already opening in the Fall. Awesome! I'm looking forward to reading about that TR

There definitely will be one! It'll be a whole new experience staying in the MK area. We did that one night at WL but otherwise I've never stayed there. I'm excited to think of all the new restaurants we can do.

Ahh I see and that kind of stinks from your perspective. She's your travel buddy so it has to be difficult trying to plan upcoming trips, wondering if she'll be attending or not. Has he ever been interested in going to WDW or doing a cruise?

It's ok, her time with me is also important to her so she's definitely going to do at least one week a year with me. I foresee those vacations being cruises since she loves them so much. She'll be going with me next May on the Fantasy for Mother's Day. We actually planned a cruise with him joining us but he was not interested in the least. And he pretty much has refused to try WDW because he hates crowds. So until I find the man of my dreams it looks like most of my trips will be solo, which is perfectly fine.

See I will probably never be able to compare the pools, since I never schedule any time for us to be at them! Maybe I can adjust my mindset for this next trip and make some time for it...

You really must make time for the pool, it is so beautiful down there. And especially in October, its going to be really hot.

 

[Pinkocto]

I think it's extremely sweet that you were sad to leave your mom. I don't have any relationship with my mother so I think yours is extra special. I hope, and think, I've got special bonds with mine. I just saw The Guilt Trip last night and can say I also tell my kids to hydrate constantly. If you haven't seen it, it's worth renting.

I was expecting some cynicism but everyone has been so nice about my feelings. People here at work laugh that I enjoy going on trips with her. I shouldn't have expected anything but kindness from my Dis friends.

I absolutely love movies and now haven't even heard of two that you're recommending. Well it's important to hydrate!

Just thinking about the last day of the cruise makes me sad. I have read that they really rush you in the morning. I'm so glad we've got late seating as a 6:30 breakfast doesn't sound all that wonderful.

I don't think I'd go to the sit down breakfast if I had to be there at 6:30, that's just too early! Last days are hard, you've just had such a fantastic vacation and then BAM! back in the real world.

Looks like you had some great table mates.

They were really fun to spend evenings with.

I hope everything was fine with your mom.

She checked in with me several times which I appreciated.

Love seeing photos of AKV! It's so amazing.

Lots more to come! I love that place, it really is amazing.

 

[Pinkocto]

Day 9 continued:

After taking all the room pictures I raced out to get some Jungle Juice! Oh Jungle Juice, how do I love thee! I was stopped in my quest by the gorgeous lobby view.



Pictures first, juice momentarily



















And this is what I took back to the room



I relaxed in the room for a little bit and then packed up my snacks and journal and went down by the pool. I had turned on the TV and then turned it off quickly. I already missed the ‘on demand’ movies they had on the cruise. I would love for them to provide all the Disney movies at the resorts, but I think they don’t because kids would never want to leave and thus money would be less spent. Still, I will dream of a day when movies are in the resort rooms.

I took a soda from the CL down with me to the pool and stopped in the Mara to buy a cheese flatbread. It was tasty but not as much as the veggie one. The pool was packed and I eventually found a table in the little wading pool area.






I absolutely love the tropical foliage they have around the pool.





After finishing up in the journal I headed back upstairs and they had changed over to tea time, of course I had to stop for some treats.



The rice crispy treats are so good, but I have yet to try the brownies





This is what I took back to the room, I saved the left plate for later.



I don’t get tired of this view





And then I headed out, Chubby Checker was playing at Epcot and I was really looking forward to hearing him sing.



Looks like I snapped some pictures in the store as I walked out.

 

[Leshaface]

Ooh I haven't tried the Jungle Juice yet! Do they sell it at all anywhere at the AKL or is it only served at CL?

What is that book next to your journal? Yes. I'm nosey.

 

[Pinkocto]

Ooh I haven't tried the Jungle Juice yet! Do they sell it at all anywhere at the AKL or is it only served at CL?

What is that book next to your journal? Yes. I'm nosey.

Oh you MUST try Jungle Juice, it is so good They have it in Boma for breakfast, and I've also heard they sell it at AK in Africa.

You are observant not nosey that's my Passporter, a more concise version of a journal. It has pockets to save papers/momentos in and basically is a fill in the blank type of thing. I like to use them for longer trips to be able to quickly see what was done each day. Each day has its own page and 'pocket'. They sell them as guidebooks with passpockets inside, and they also sell passpockets seperately, 14 for $5.99 or 5 for $2.50. I would suggest anybody to use them, they're great. Just in case you're iterested

http://www.passporterstore.com/store/0966899435.aspx

 

[rentayenta]

Jambo's lobby is gorgeous. The CL offerings look so good as usual. One day I'll stay CL hopefully.

People at work tease about you enjoying spending time with your mom? Shallow. Forget them. It's sweet and beautiful. What could be wrong about a loving mother/child relationship especially as adults?

Did you say you use the Passporter? I love mine. I've used them on all three trips to WDW. I'm thinking about getting a cruise one.

Is your journal about trips or personal or both? I love to journal.

 

[Pinkocto]

Jambo's lobby is gorgeous. The CL offerings look so good as usual. One day I'll stay CL hopefully.

I love that lobby! it's the main reason I haven't tried Kidani yet, theirs is so small. I'm sure it's nice when you stay there though.

People at work tease about you enjoying spending time with your mom? Shallow. Forget them. It's sweet and beautiful. What could be wrong about a loving mother/child relationship especially as adults?

Thank you They're not my favorite people. They say I need a man and am too old to be spending time with my mom. I think it's important to cherish your loved ones. I'm 30 now, and hopefully when I'm 50 I'll still be able to spend time with her. Every week after church my dad, stepmom, and his mom go out to lunch, family is important to me. I just wanted to say its ok if anybody on here thinks I'm too old to spend time with my parents because I don't feel that way. It's not going to stop some people from thinking it.

Did you say you use the Passporter? I love mine. I've used them on all three trips to WDW. I'm thinking about getting a cruise one.

I did, I do! I love my Passporter. I've started just buying the pockets because they're less expensive. I really enjoy being able to quickly see what we did without reading through the story.

Is your journal about trips or personal or both? I love to journal.

Only trips. I used to keep an every day journal when I was little but not anymore. I did start a birthday journal a couple years ago which is just to remember what I did on my birthday. I really enjoy journaling the trips.

 

[carissa1970]

I love that lobby! it's the main reason I haven't tried Kidani yet, theirs is so small. I'm sure it's nice when you stay there though.

Thank you They're not my favorite people. They say I need a man and am too old to be spending time with my mom. I think it's important to cherish your loved ones. I'm 30 now, and hopefully when I'm 50 I'll still be able to spend time with her. Every week after church my dad, stepmom, and his mom go out to lunch, family is important to me. I just wanted to say its ok if anybody on here thinks I'm too old to spend time with my parents because I don't feel that way. It's not going to stop some people from thinking it.

I love spending time with my parents! I think as adults we should be able to decide who we spend our time with, without being judged.

 

[Leshaface]

Oh you MUST try Jungle Juice, it is so good They have it in Boma for breakfast, and I've also heard they sell it at AK in Africa.

You are observant not nosey that's my Passporter, a more concise version of a journal. It has pockets to save papers/momentos in and basically is a fill in the blank type of thing. I like to use them for longer trips to be able to quickly see what was done each day. Each day has its own page and 'pocket'. They sell them as guidebooks with passpockets inside, and they also sell passpockets seperately, 14 for $5.99 or 5 for $2.50. I would suggest anybody to use them, they're great. Just in case you're iterested

http://www.passporterstore.com/store/0966899435.aspx

I'll try to find it then at AK when we're there. Thanks!

And thanks for the link, i'm going to look into that!

 

[dolphingirl47]

Oh, I would love to try those cinnamon sugar chips. They sound very interesting.

Just ignore those people at work. They are probably just jealous. I come from a family where nobody gets on with any other part of the family and I have no contact whatsoever with my birth family (as opposed to the one I married into)now, but I think it is wonderful if people are part of a close-knit family.

Corinna

 

[Pinkocto]

I love spending time with my parents! I think as adults we should be able to decide who we spend our time with, without being judged.

I agree completely.

 

[Pinkocto]

Oh, I would love to try those cinnamon sugar chips. They sound very interesting.

They were quite tasty, better than the plain ones but I think they're tasty too

Just ignore those people at work. They are probably just jealous. I come from a family where nobody gets on with any other part of the family and I have no contact whatsoever with my birth family (as opposed to the one I married into)now, but I think it is wonderful if people are part of a close-knit family.

Corinna

Thank you I'm so used to somebody having a negative comment, I shouldn't have assumed people on here would do the same.

 

[rentayenta]

Do you use the Cruise Passporter too?

 

[mousetravel]

Yay, finally all caught up!!!

Loved your photos from the forts. But I would probably be so scared to go through those tunnels. I'd be scared of getting trapped in or something!

Now I've got to get going on your June TR. I've read a few pages, but need to catch up.

 

[MEK]

Nice offerings at CL. I would love to stay AK CL someday. Probably never going to happen, so I have to live vicariously through you.

I am getting pretty excited for my upcoming AK stay. thanks for all the wonderful pictures.

Yes - MUST get to Epcot for Chubby Checker!

 

[Pinkocto]

Do you use the Cruise Passporter too?

I did for the first cruise, it had lots of great information. Not that much different than what I found on here reading TRs but I still found it very helpful. A lot was about planning, prices, itineraries, staterooms, but I was soaking up everything I could find, and of course used the passpockets.

 

[rentayenta]

I did for the first cruise, it had lots of great information. Not that much different than what I found on here reading TRs but I still found it very helpful. A lot was about planning, prices, itineraries, staterooms, but I was soaking up everything I could find, and of course used the passpockets.

I'm thinking I may order it. I love the passpockets too and jot down notes in the yellow days section of the WDW book. Maybe I'll just get the cruise inserts?

 

[Pinkocto]

Yay, finally all caught up!!!

Loved your photos from the forts. But I would probably be so scared to go through those tunnels. I'd be scared of getting trapped in or something!

Now I've got to get going on your June TR. I've read a few pages, but need to catch up.

Thanks! Give me something dark and mysterious and I'm going in! With a flashlight of course, I hate spiders so have to at least see where I'm going

The June one has been neglected for a few weeks, I need to do an update.

 

[Pinkocto]

Nice offerings at CL. I would love to stay AK CL someday. Probably never going to happen, so I have to live vicariously through you.

I am getting pretty excited for my upcoming AK stay. thanks for all the wonderful pictures.

Yes - MUST get to Epcot for Chubby Checker!

Never say never, I'm sure we could swap points, mom really wants to stay in a treehouse and I'm sure I need the 11 month window for that. And don't discount wait lists, I had an October wait list come through for CL, unfortunately I had to cancel that trip but its still possible.

Chubby Checker was absolutely fantastic, need to upload those pictures today.

 

[rentayenta]

Never say never, I'm sure we could swap points, mom really wants to stay in a treehouse and I'm sure I need the 11 month window for that. And don't discount wait lists, I had an October wait list come through for CL, unfortunately I had to cancel that trip but its still possible.

Chubby Checker was absolutely fantastic, need to upload those pictures today.

I've got the 11 month THV window if you ever need a reservation. They are fabulous! Everyone should sleep in a treehouse.